High-Shooting Mossberg

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Achilles11B

New member
I have a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5 inch barrel that shoots pretty high. At what I call 'home defense' distances (between 5-10 yards), it shoots about a foot high. A shot aimed at center-mass will impact roughly around where the head meets the neck on a practice silhouette. Point of impact is much closer to point of aim inside 5 yards. The offset between POA and POI gets worse as the distance increases. I have put 00 buckshot, rifled slugs and target loads through it, all with the same results. I won't say I'm new to shotguns but I won't claim to be an expert, either. Would a new barrel remedy the problem or is the cause of this something else? Does barrel length have anything to do with it? Thanks in advance for any information.
 
O

oneounceload

Moderator
Sounds like a fit issue. Are you seeing a lot of barrel when you shoot? While YOU may be looking level at the target, if the stock fit is incorrect will have you actually raising the barrel to shoot high
 
Z

zippy13

New member
Barrel length won't change a thing if your face is too high on the stock. But, a target barrel with a mid rib bead will give you and indication of how you're mounting the gun by the alignment of the beads. If you see a lot of daylight between the beads, then you'll know your fit is way off.
 
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hogdogs

Staff In Memoriam
For it to be a case of "The gun is shooting a foot high at HD distance...", you would have an OBVIOUSLY visible upwards swoop.

For a long time I had let my POA creep up as I had softened my range estimate accuracy. Got that squared away with a dozen rounds on a patterning style target.

Brent
 
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hogdogs

Staff In Memoriam
Fergot to mention... For me, at HD ranges with the way I particularly mount the gun, I have a good solid inch or better of daylight from the top of the barrel to my intended POI.

Brent
 
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Achilles11B

New member
From what I'm hearing, it sounds like a training issue as opposed to an equipment issue. Thanks to everyone for the help.
 
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hogdogs

Staff In Memoriam
Yep exactly... if you lay the gun on the sofa and step back a few feew... look it over... Still look straight? Definitely not the gun...

Make your self some cheap cardboard target sheets...

I use cheap slugs to work on my point of aim/ point of impact concerns... At HD ranges, the flight path is similar enuff...
I am really sorry when it comes to explainin' it but these dirt dove shooters have good ways to explain how to mount the gun and what you should be seeing in your view.

Brent
 
T

the rifleer

New member
Installing a rear sight would help because it would force you to have your head in the correct position in order to line up the sights.
 
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